The Curved-Billed Song Birds, particularly the Cuckoos, of which their are three in North America, are all three elongated birds with long, spotted tails. Two of these species, those that are named for the color of their bills (Yellow or Black) are spread throughout the south west. The third species, the Mangrove Cuckoo is only found among the coastal mangroves within southwest Florida.

All three of the Cuckoo family species are in the Order Cuculiformes, the Family Cuculidae and the Genus Coccyzus.

Other birds in the same order Cuculiformes include the anis, couas, coucals, koels, malkohas and roadrunners.

This species of cuckoo nests in a tree or shrub, usually several feet up to more than ten feet above the ground.

Adults have a long tail, brown above and black-and-white below, and a black curved bill with yellow especially on the lower mandible. The head and upper parts are brown and the under body is white. There is a yellow ring around the eye. It shows cinnamon on the wings in flight. Juveniles are similar, but the black on the undertail is replaced by gray.

The feet are zygodactylous, meaning two forward and to rearward.